Which of the following is true about the equilibrium phase of immunoediting?

The correct answer is that during the equilibrium phase of immunoediting, the immune system creates a state of dormancy in tumor cells. This concept is a critical part of the immunoediting theory proposed by Dr. Dunn and colleagues, which describes how the immune system interacts with tumor cells.

In this equilibrium phase, the immune system has successfully contained the tumor growth but has not completely eradicated it. Instead, certain tumor cell clones that are capable of evading the immune response may persist in a dormant state, leading to a balance where tumor growth is halted, but not fully eliminated. The immune system exerts selective pressure on the tumor, leading to changes that create a hidden, dormant state rather than complete destruction.

This dormancy can potentially last for an extended period, during which the tumor may be undetectable, yet still present. If the immune system's surveillance diminishes or the tumor cells undergo further mutations that allow them to evade immune detection, the tumor can eventually escape this dormant state, leading to tumor recurrence or progression.

The other options describe scenarios that do not accurately reflect the nature of the equilibrium phase. Tumor cells do not proliferate unchecked during this phase, nor is it true that the immune system eliminates all tumor cells or that